改革印记:从彩电冰箱“四大件”到“买遍全球”
11月10日,首届中国国际进口博览会在上海闭幕。预计未来15年,中国进口商品和服务将分别超过30万亿美元和10万亿美元。 改革开放40年,中国一步步晋升为“世界工厂”,又逐渐转变为“世界市场”,一边是中国企业“卖全球”,另一边则是企业和消费者“买全球”。 从侧重扩大出口到更加注重进口,这40年见证了中国逐步对外开放的历史进程。 1978-1988: NEW LOOK 新面貌 A 1978 Japanese documentary, China's New Look, featured a scene that said everything about what the Chinese craved back then. In front of an old-fashioned television set, dozens of Shanghainese gathered around to watch a TV show. In 1981, only one out of every 170 urban households in China had a color television. Having a TV set at home was something worth boasting about, especially when a man would propose. As China started to open its doors to foreign manufacturers, a TV, a refrigerator and a washing machine became a "must-have" home appliances set for a typical middle-class family. "With more electronic products available, color televisions, cassette recorders, stereo components, record players and electronic games and toys, which were only a dream just a decade ago, can now be found in millions of Chinese homes," read a Xinhua story in 1987. 1988-1998: WEST MEETS EAST 当西方遇见东方 In October 1990, the first outlet of McDonald's on the Chinese mainland opened for business in Shenzhen, a southern city at the forefront of China's opening-up. The western fast-food chain quickly became the hottest tourist spot in town. Curious Chinese consumers lined up in front of the 20 cashiers of the three-story building, shouting to the staff "I want 10 big macs," recalled a trainee with McDonald's at that time. A meal at McDonald's was never so fast. China's new rich would line up at the fancy western restaurant for two hours to chat with friends, discuss businesses or even have a date. While McDonald's stood for fashion, a Volkswagen's Santana car was a symbol for status. As many Chinese once said, somewhat jokingly: "As long as you have a Santana, you have nothing to fear driving all around the world." The German automaker set up its first joint venture (JV) with SAIC Motor in Shanghai in 1985. By the end of 1991, the JV produced more than 100,000 Santana cars in total. Following the success, Volkswagen has been expanding its footprint in China, with the establishment of a second venture, FAW Volkswagen, in northeastern city of Changchun in 1991, and a third in Hefei, eastern Anhui province, in 2017. |